Torture can be physical, psychological, or sexual in nature. It is a deliberate and systematic infliction of severe pain or suffering by a public official, other persons acting in an official capacity (e.g. police, military, or security forces) or by parties a government is unwilling or unable to control (e.g. paramilitary organization or guerrilla armies).

No. Torture is illegal under both international and U.S. law. More than 140 countries have ratified the United Nations Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Amnesty International has documented torture in more than 150 countries, including the United States. In more than 70 countries, it is widespread and systematic.

Often, individuals are tortured because of their identity (ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc.) or because of political affiliation, religion or activities to promote equal rights, labor rights and other causes. Students, politicians, and prisoners are also targets, and people may be tortured at random if the government or opposition group is trying to create a climate of fear in a population.

Beating, kicking, electric shocks, deprivation of food and water, stretching, submersion, suffocation, burns, rape and sexual assault.

Isolation, threats to self or to family and associates, humiliation, mock executions, mock amputations, and witnessing the torture of others.

June 26 is the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. June 26, 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of June 26, 1987—the date the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment entered force.

The U.S. government estimates 400,000 - 500,000 survivors live in the United States.

Famous survivors include Nelson Mandela, Elie Weisel, Senator John McCain, Gandhi, Michelle Bachelet (Chile’s president), Hannah Senesh (poet), and Wangari Muta Maathai (Nobel Peace Prize winner).

Torture survivors are our neighbors, coworkers, friends and peers. California is home to the largest number of refugees and immigrants in the United States. Effects of torture spread to future generations. Children and grandchildren of torture survivors face increased risks of school failure, family violence, learning problems, and mental health disorders.

Torture survivors are talented, trained and productive people who have resources and experiences to offer our communities. Survivors are beacons of democracy; they reflect the values of America’s founders. Many survivors were involved in such fields as medicine, law, business and government. They have been damaged by torture, but with treatment they can begin to rebuild their lives and careers in California.

Agencies such as the International Rescue Committee, Catholic Charities, World Relief and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) help resettle refugees. For most refugees, the International Organization for Migration arranges travel to the United States. Refugees are given a three-year travel loan which they are expected to repay through their resettlement agency.

A refugee is a person who has left his or her country because of a well-founded fear of persecution or death based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. An individual gains the legal status of “refugee” outside the United States, usually in camps that are set up in countries neighboring the country of turmoil.

An asylum-seeker is also a person fleeing persecution, but he or she applies for protection once inside the United States. Individuals can be granted asylum if they can prove a well-founded fear of persecution. After long and difficult journeys from their homes, they arrive at ports of entry like San Francisco via SFO or San Diego via the Mexico border.

With little or no documentation, some of these individuals are immediately deported in a procedure known as expedited removal. Others proceed through a legal process that can take months or years. Many are held in prison during this time. Throughout this process, they are not eligible for government benefits of any kind, and are usually not able to work.

Asylum may be granted after a hearing before an immigration judge or an interview by an officer from the Department of Homeland Security. If the individual can prove a fear of persecution, he or she can be granted asylum.

There are no limits to the number of individuals who may be granted asylum, but about 69% of applicants are denied, according to a recent report from TRAC, a data research organization associated with Syracuse University. Anyone who poses a threat to national security is barred from receiving asylum, as well as anyone who has committed acts of terrorism, human rights abuses, or other serious crimes.

After being granted asylum, an asylum-seeker becomes an asylee. An asylee can apply to work in the United States, receive health insurance and other benefits for a limited time, and may petition to bring a spouse and/or children to the United States. After one year the asylee and his or her family can apply to become lawful permanent residents, but asylees sometimes face significant delays with this process—up to several years.

No, one does not have to be tortured to be a refugee or asylum-seeker.

Yes, after five years as a lawful permanent resident or three years of marriage to a U.S. citizen. They must also meet other naturalization requirements and pass a naturalization test.

Torture is illegal under U.S. and international law. No detainee held by U.S. authorities may be tortured—regardless of nationality, regardless of whether the person is held in the United States or in another country, and regardless of whether the person is labeled a civilian or combatant.

Research and clinical experience support that people will say anything to make torture stop—even if it’s not true. U.S. Army's own field manual says that torture “is a poor technique that yields unreliable results, may damage subsequent collection efforts, and can induce the source to say what he thinks the [human intelligence] collector wants to hear.”

That term is used to refer to the practice of a government that abducts foreign nationals for detention and interrogation in secret overseas prisons. Article 3.1 of the Convention against Torture states that: “No State Party shall expel, return ("refouler") or extradite a person to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture.”

Torture survivors may be left with lifelong physical and mental health problems if not treated by trained professionals. Survivors often endure post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, nightmares, chronic pain, and other long-term effects.

• Waiting rooms, crying children
• Loud, pounding noises
• Men in uniforms
• Surveillance cameras

Many people—even in the medical community—do not know very much about this unique population. There are few specialized facilities and funding is limited. Key issues include: lack of knowledge and specialized skill among providers; limited availability of specialized services; language barriers; mistrust of institutions and medical professionals by survivors; stigmas about receiving mental health care services; and financial obstacles.

Treatment helps survivors heal from their trauma, rebuild trust in others, and reconnect to their families and communities, restoring self-esteem, dignity and hope. As clients heal, they are able to go back to school and find jobs. They become self-supporting and productive members of society.

The Torture Victims Relief Act, first passed in 1998, funds treatment centers for torture survivors living in the United States. It also provides support to treatment centers for torture survivors in other countries, and it authorizes a contribution to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, which supports treatment centers worldwide.

Yes, there are more than 130 members of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT). In December 2006, the IRCT held a conference of more than 400 experts from at least 100 centers.

The Center for Justice & Accountability (CJA) in San Francisco uses litigation to hold perpetrators individually accountable for human rights abuses, develop human rights law, and advance the rule of law in countries transitioning from periods of abuse. CJA uses two civil laws to hold perpetrators of human rights abuses accountable: the Alien Tort Statute and the Torture Victim Protection Act.

SURVIVORS facilitates the healing of torture survivors and their families; educates professionals and the public about torture and its consequences; and advocates for the abolition of torture.

SURVIVORS was founded in 1997 as a grassroots nonprofit organization headquartered in the home of one of its cofounders, Kathi Anderson. The founders (Kathi Anderson, Bill Radatz and George Falk) spent the first year building the agency’s infrastructure so that it would rest on a solid foundation.

SURVIVORS provides medical, dental, psychiatric, psychological, legal and social services to survivors of politically-motivated torture and their families.

Yes. Psychological evaluations are conducted by licensed mental health evaluators and affidavits are submitted as evidence in immigration proceedings. Medical evaluations are conducted and affidavits prepared by volunteer physicians in support of clients’ asylum claims. Legal services are offered through a subgrant to a nonprofit law firm.

No, all services are provided free of charge.

SURVIVORS has therapeutic group activities that include cooking classes and nature walks, as well as recreational trips to local San Diego attractions like Sea World.

Many healthcare organizations, refugee service organizations, e.g., the International Rescue Committee, and those that focus on human rights, e.g., Amnesty International and faith-based organizations.

They come from more than 50 countries around the world. SURVIVORS has seen many clients from parts of Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.

They are usually referred by immigration attorneys, healthcare institutions, community organizations, or clients who have been treated by SURVIVORS.

SURVIVORS has established a network of trained interpreters speaking more than 30 languages and dialects who serve our clients on an as-needed basis.

No, our focus is on survivors of government-sponsored torture; other agencies in San Diego County provide services to survivors of domestic abuse.

Almost all of our clients are refugees, asylees or asylum-seekers; all have a legal right to be in the United States. SURVIVORS does not turn anyone away because of immigration status.

Yes. If an American is a survivor of politically motivated torture that occurred in another country, SURVIVORS would offer him or her services.

The range varies from a few months to several years.

SURVIVORS receives funding from the County of San Diego, the U.S. government, the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, Grossmont Healthcare District, foundations, corporations, faith-based organizations, and individuals.

Financial contributions are the most flexible way to provide support because they permit resources to be used for what is most necessary. SURVIVORS also recruits therapists, doctors, dentists and interpreters as volunteers or on a reduced fee to help clients through their trauma. Other volunteer opportunities are listed on our web site.